Below are the comments made by Sir John Major on 9 October 2015 following the death of The Lord Howe of Aberavon. Lord Howe had been the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1979 until 1983 and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from 1983 until 1989.

SIR JOHN MAJOR:

As Chancellor of the Exchequer, his brave but controversial policy was the catalyst of economic recovery. As Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, he was respected in every part of the world.

Geoffrey Howe was a conciliator, a One Nation Conservative – forever concerned about social advance.

Geoffrey has left a benevolent mark on our national life, and I hope in death will receive the credit so often denied him in life.